Toyota joins confirmed privateer entries from SMP Racing, DragonSpeed and Manor in the top prototype class next year, with additional LMP1 non-hybrids expected in the new-look category.

Drivers have yet to be confirmed, although technical director Pascal Vasselon told Sportscar365 this weekend that it would likely come in January, during the the manufacturer’s annual motorsport event in Tokyo.

It’s understood the team is unlikely to again field three cars in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365 as well as the recently launched e-racing365 Web site for electric racing. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com/SPEED Channel, and contributes to other publications worldwide. Contact John

15 Comments

15 Comments

Max

November 19, 2017 at 2:19 pm

It’s good for the WEC that this happened. Hopefully they won’t forget about Privateers again for a few more years. As always, that’s what saved LMP1.

He already has a job. JPM has joined his Indy Car owner Penske Racing and Helio Castroneves, Ricky Taylor, Dane Cameron, Simon Pagenaud & Graham Rahal. Toyota already has a F1 driver signed for 2018 and their assault on Le Mans: Fernando Alonso. Combined with their regular drivers, doubtful in their 2 car program they will race Juan Pablo at Toyota.

WEC has consistently been the premier sports car series in the world these past 5 years. Expanding the reach and fan base in the process. Next year the factory LMP1 battle maybe no more, but the class looks set for expansion, P2 should be as entertaining as ever, and GTE-Pro/Am will be better still with new entries and cars from BMW and Aston Martin.

I’m sure IMSA will be great. But in case you missed it, they race on a single continent, so sports car fans around the world don’t have an opportunity to see the series live.

“as entertaining as ever.”
Well, not “as ever” for the drivers. This year it was a disaster.

“…in case you missed it, they race on a single continent, so sports car fans around the world don’t have an opportunity to see the series live.”
Uhhh, dunno what you’re talking about, IMSA uploads full coverage of all their races on YouTube, so….yeah.

IMSA is significantly better, for the simple reason that it’s not under the FIA banner. They have to race on useless tracks like Fuji, Bahrain, Shanghai and COTA, while IMSA can pick and choose actual interesting venues.

“Interesting venues”? Are you talking about these rotten US race tracks that have no more FIA acknowledgement because they are not safe (see Watkins Glen)?
Fact: FIA WEC is a World Championship with worldwide standards, IMSA is a national championship with national standards.
I see that the DPi regulations are working fine and should be at least partly taken over by the FIA for the FIA WEC after 2020, but this doesn’t make IMSA “better”.

If Toyota doesn’t use three cars at Le Mans, someone’s going to have to give up their race for Alonso. Not the first time that’s happened.
Still, it’s good news that a major manufacturer will continue to take prototypes to Le Mans. Hopefully the privateer competition will be up to scratch and properly balanced with the mighty TS050.

Toyota has spent Gazillions trying to win Le Mans. This year they might finally achieve it… they only have to beat themselves… so it doesn’t make sense to enter only 2 cars…they should enter a third one… more competition!